Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi quashed speculation that he had been injured or killed by NATO attacks as he appeared on Libyan TV late Wednesday.

Gaddafi had not previously appeared in public since April 30 - the day of the NATO air attacks which killed his youngest son, Saif al-Arab Gaddafi. He did not attend Saif's funeral last week.

It showed Gaddafi addressing tribal leaders. The event was recorded in a private room of the Tripoli hotel occupied by Western journalists.

Meanwhile, rebel forces took control of Misurata airport after a lengthy battle with government troops. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition were also seized. Celebrations erupted in the city. In western Misurata, thousands of residents emerged from hiding.